How to build an effective author website
Why you need a web presence - 7 reasons to have a website
1. A website is affordable
An author website is incredibly affordable. All it takes is a domain, some website hosting and the right knowledge to get up and going. Compare the cost of producing professional quality posters and bookmarks to the cost of maintaining a website. Add in the fact that the reach of the web is essentially limitless.
2. Readers will assume you have one
Most readers assume that you will have a website and will actively seek additional information about you and your work on the internet. Promoting your website is incredibly effective as your publisher will be delighted to include your domain name in the book itself and often will include it on any marketing material for your work.
3. A website is independent of your publisher
Having a presence to promote your work that is independent of your publisher is invaluable as it allows you to switch publishers with every release without losing your existing readers.
4. A website is an international presence
The internet makes market boundaries irrelevant. If your book is on sale online then anyone in the world can purchase it. Having a website allows you to access markets outside of Australia.
5. A website is scalable
The greatest advantage of a well designed website is that it's scalable. Writing a new series in a new world? No problem, add a new link to your navigation and away you go.
6. A website is a living document
Your website should be 100% up to date 100% of the time. Just won an award? Update your website to ensure that your readers are constantly informed. Much simpler than producing a new snail mailout each time something exciting happens in your professional career.
7. A website is a place where you can control your own message
Don't like the slant your publishers are giving your new work? Are they calling it romantic fantasy when you consider it epic? Your official author website is the Last Word on your work and you can have complete control over the content and message, independent of your publisher.